NCIS is one of the most popular long-running crime TV shows out there, competing with the likes of Law & Order and CSI. Currently, on Season 19, NCIS started airing back in 2003 and has seen a variety of talented actors come and go, in addition to having had some wonderful star cameos. Following Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his team, the show tackles various cases, from simple murders to complex terrorist threats and abductions.
The show is very well written and contains a whole host of interesting, colorful characters. With so many episodes, the show has seen its ups and downs, from the deaths of characters to the introduction of new ones, relationships blooming and others crumbling.
10, Kill Ari Part 2, S3.E02: The Introduction of Ziva David
Following the death of Kate Todd, Ziva David is introduced to the series. An ex-Mossad agent, Ziva begins by aiding her brother Ari in an attempt to help him evade capture. However, as Ari slowly goes rogue and abducts Ducky, Gibbs and Ziva have no choice but to cooperate in order to bring Ari down. The episode is particularly hard-hitting as the team is still reeling from Kate’s death at Ari’s hands, leaving Ziva in a difficult spot choosing between the team and her brother.
9, Twilight, S2.E23: The Death of Kate Todd
Preceding the Kill Ari two-part storyline, “Twilight” is one of the hardest episodes to watch. Kate, who was still relatively new to the team but had become a fan favorite, was killed by rogue Mossad agent Ari David after a shootout. The episode ended the second season on a brutal cliffhanger, and left Gibbs and Tony devastated.
It became apparent that Gibbs would not be able to live by his own rule of never get personally attached to a case, and he dedicated himself to taking down Ari and protecting the rest of his team. The episode is fast-paced throughout, beginning with the attempted murder of the team after Ari planted a bomb under their vehicle.
8, Requiem, S5.E7: Personal Relationships At Stake For Gibbs
After the childhood friend of his daughter reaches out for help, Gibbs is tasked with tracking down a stalker. His daughter’s friend, Maddie, is terrified of the stalker, suspected to be Marine sergeant Rudi. Things take a personal turn when Maddie’s apartment is ransacked. Rudi in fact turns out not to be the stalker and was instead using Maddie’s address as an accommodation address while waiting for a letter detailing the location of stolen money.
The episode is heartwarming and simultaneously heartbreaking. By seeing Maddie again, Gibbs was reminded of his dead daughter and wife who he saw again in a dream. Before being resuscitated, telling him that everything would be alright.
7, Call of Silence, S2.E7: A Story That Hits Gibbs Close To Home
When a former Marine confesses to murdering his friend during a battle against the Japanese that took place nearly sixty years ago, Gibbs and the team work to prove their innocence in hopes of saving him from life in prison and the loss of his Medal of Honor. The episode is a fascinating look at guilt and trauma caused by war, particularly in World War veterans. Moreover, the audience gets to see more of Gibbs’ motivations, as he relates to the veteran’s loss of his wife and the pain it has caused him.
6, The Arizona, S17.E20: A Star Cameo And The History Of The US Military
“The Arizona” is from one of NCIS’ more recent seasons, and guest stars legendary actor Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future). The team has to verify the identity of Joe Smith, who claims to have served on the U.S.S. Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. His last wish is to be buried there when he dies, but is unable to be unless it is proved that he served there.
The episode is a thrilling look into US military history, looking at the events of Pearl Harbor instead of sticking to the usual modern-day crimes. Moreover, the episode is dedicated to those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.
5, Truth Or Consequence, S7.E1: The Team Is Kidnapped And Gibbs Saves The Day
This episode is thrilling for so many reasons, but particularly for fans of Tony and Ziva. After Ziva’s disappearance, the team investigates the case of a dead naval officer and manages to track Ziva to a ship located off the coast of Somalia, but Tony, McGee, and Ziva are captured and tortured by a terrorist named Saleem. Gibbs returns to form as a sniper and rescues the trio, showing audiences his skills and hinting as to his prowess when he was serving in the navy.
The episode also demonstrates how far Tony will go for Ziva and puts an international romance twist on the show by taking the team abroad.
4, Keep Going, S14.E13: Hit And Run And Attempted Suicide
“Keep Going” allowed Ducky’s assistant Palmer to demonstrate his morality and bravery, helping to talk down a young man threatening suicide. After the hit-and-run of his father, the young man blamed himself for his father’s death and ascended to the roof of a nearby building. The entire episode is a race against time as Gibbs desperately tries to get to the bottom of the case in order to save not only the young man’s life, but Palmer’s as well. By tackling the theme of suicide, the episode also touches on mental health and how it can make even the most rational person irrational.
3, SWAK, S2.E22: A Deadly Love Letter Sealed With A Kiss
In “SWAK,” Gibbs is faced with a similar race against time after a love letter is delivered to the NCIS headquarters. The letter contained genetically altered Y. pestis, aka pneumonic plague. Tony and Kate are sent to quarantine while Gibbs, Ducky, McGee, and Abby must solve the case in order to obtain the sender’s antidote. Eventually, it is revealed that the sender was a rape victim from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, putting a sympathetic twist on the seemingly uncalled-for and senseless ‘love’ letter.
Audiences first see Tony in a vulnerable state in this episode, and how he and Kate’s relationship has developed since her transfer to NCIS. It is a refreshing and thrilling episode that develops characters while still keeping the viewers’ hearts pumping.
2, She, S16.E13: Child Neglect And Missing Persons
A particularly hard to watch episode, “She” centers around a neglected child and missing person. The child leads Agent Bishop to retrace the investigations of Ziva, seen back in Season 7, and causes her to ignore Gibbs’ Rule 10: “Never Get Personally Involved.” Like any story tackling child abuse and neglect, the episode is truly heart-wrenching as we sympathize with the missing child, the family, and Bishop’s dedication to bringing the criminal to justice. Audiences are also reminded of Ziva’s dedication and how she was determined to find the missing child with or without Gibbs’ help.
1, Family First, S13.E24: International Team-Ups And Goodbye To Tony
By far the most memorable episode for any NCIS fan, “Family First” is full of revelations and twists. From Ziva’s suspected death during an attack on the David farm to the team struggling to track down rogue CIA agent Trent Kort, and then Tony discovering that he and Ziva had a daughter together, fans were no doubt over the moon when Ziva was briefly reintroduced, while suspicions of Tony and Ziva’s continued relationship were confirmed.
However, perhaps the most memorable moment from the episode is when viewers had to say goodbye to Tony. After discovering that he has a daughter, Tony decides to resign from his position as Senior Field Agent and retire from NCIS. McGee is promoted to Senior Field Agent in his stead, and Tony leaves to look after his daughter.
